Nation
Ogun Spends N26bn On Road Construction
Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, has stated that the construction of a road leading to the Ogun portion of Olokola Free Trade Zone and the deep seaport would cost N26 billion.
The governor disclosed this during a community Demand Review tour of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area at Abigi.
The road, expected to pass through five communities, will start at J4 junction of the Lago-Ijebu-Abigi-Ifire-Makunomi to Olokola.
He said it has become expedient for his administration to execute the project to encourage investment in the state. Daniel explained that his administration is determined to turn the state into an industrial hub by ensuring the success of the project which he said, would be the first of its kind on the African Continent.
He however, allayed the fears of the people about the project, saying he had met with President Umaru Yar’Adua who personally expressed the determination of the Federal Government to move the project forward.
Daniel also said arrangements have been concluded with some international investors to set up a 140,000 metric tones Petroleum depot at a cost of $50 million within the free trade zone.
He said promoters of the project to be sited at Abigi have also promised to construct a ferry port for the neighbouring communities.
It was gathered that during the tour, the governor inaugurated a N100 million engineering equipment at the state-owned Gateway Petro-chemical and Gas Institute, Oni.
He assured students of the institute of mass employment opportunities in the various projects being put in place.
He commended the council Chairman, Tola Ajayi for bringing dividends of democracy to the door step of the people.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
